Resolving Trauma at the Nervous System Level

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀. ⁣

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Traditional approaches to healing trauma often focus on recounting the traumatic events and understanding their specific details. While this can be helpful for some individuals, it may not be the most effective method for everyone.⁣

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The proposed approach emphasises a shift in perspective. ⁣

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Instead of solely asking, “𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚?” or “𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚?” the focus is on understanding the nervous system’s responses and protective mechanisms. ⁣

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By asking questions like “𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚?” and “𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙮?” you can begin to acknowledge the adaptive nature of the body’s response to trauma.⁣

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Trauma responses, such as fight, flight, freeze, or dissociation, are natural survival mechanisms that the nervous system employs when faced with overwhelming or life-threatening situations. ⁣

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These responses can be protective in the short term but may have long-term consequences if not processed or integrated properly.⁣

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Asking, “𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩?” helps identify the unmet needs during the traumatic event. ⁣

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These needs might have been physical safety, emotional support, or a sense of control and agency. ⁣

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Recognising these unmet needs can be crucial in understanding the impact of trauma on the nervous system.⁣

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Furthermore, contemplating “𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙬?” acknowledges that some of these needs might still be unmet, leading to ongoing distress and dysregulation in the nervous system. ⁣

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Addressing these current unmet needs becomes essential for healing and finding a sense of balance and safety.⁣

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The question, “𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙩?” or “𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙?” invites you to explore whether your current life circumstances or relationships might be re-triggering or exacerbating the trauma response. ⁣

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Identifying which boundaries need to be set or restored can help create a safe and supportive environment for healing.⁣

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In essence, this approach encourages you to develop a compassionate and curious relationship with your nervous system. ⁣

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By understanding how your nervous system has protected you, what needs were unmet, and what is still missing or triggering, you can move towards healing and create the conditions necessary for recovery.